Atmospheric treater with roller confined discharge chamber

Abstract

A continuous feed discharge surface treater for treating web materials has a discharge chamber where ionization of a process gas occurs defined and contained by one or more rollers. Enhanced chemical coronas and plasmas are achieved by limiting depletion of the gas chemistry from the discharge chamber and dilution or contamination from mixing with drawn in ambient air. Atmospheric coronas can also be achieved in which minimal or no ozone is exhausted from the treater. Various roller and electrode assemblies, including both fixed and rolling electrodes, can be employed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit to U.S. provisional application Ser. Nos. 60 / 986,319, filed Nov. 8, 2007, and 61 / 094,325, filed Sep. 4, 2008.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The invention generally relates to systems for treating the surfaces of materials, especially continuously fed, bi-dimensional materials such as webs, sheets, films, papers, textiles, and the like to enhance the surface characteristics of the materials.[0004]Materials, such as paper, polymer webs and various films, are often used in printing, coating and laminating applications. Many polymers, for example, have chemically inert surfaces with low surface energies providing poor bonding properties. To improve bonding, the surface of the material must be treated to raise the surface tension and thereby improve the application of adhesives and inks. There are a number of known techniques for treatin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This solution enables more consistent and homogeneous surface treatment with reduced gas consumption and ozone emissions, allowing for higher line speeds and easier maintenance, while eliminating the need for complex vacuum systems and ozone exhaust systems.

Problems solved by technology

Ambient air surrounding the treater is also essentially prevented from entering into the discharge chamber, which could otherwise displace the process gas and / or introduce airborne contaminants into the discharge chamber, which can dilute the process gas being ionized and lead to plasma streamers or other discharge anomalies, which would ultimately diminish the quality and homogeneity of the treatment.

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